Amnesty to observe Anwar's trial<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): A representative of human rights
\ngroup Amnesty International said on Sunday he would seek proof of
\n\"judicial independence\" at the trial of former deputy premier
\nAnwar Ibrahim.<\/p>\n
Mark Daly, a Canadian lawyer based in Hong Kong, arrived here
\non Saturday to observe Anwar's two-week trial on four corruption
\ncharges starting on Monday and briefly met with Anwar's wife
\nAzizah upon his arrival.<\/p>\n
\"I am here to ensure that a fair procedure of justice is
\ncarried through, that fair trial procedures are observed in
\naccordance with international standards,\" Daly told AFP.<\/p>\n
He said he look for \"factors of judicial independence, watch
\nout for any political influences\" and see whether Anwar is
\nallowed \"full access to lawyers at all times of the procedure.\"<\/p>\n
Daly said he would be at the court house before 6:00 a.m. on
\nMonday (5 a.m. Jakarta time) to \"try and get a seat\" for the
\ntrial.<\/p>\n
Anwar's sacking as deputy prime minister and finance minister,
\nand his alleged beating in detention, have sparked global
\ninterest in the case and triggered criticism of Prime Minister
\nMahathir Mohamad.<\/p>\n
Amnesty has supported Anwar's contention that the 10 charges
\nof corruption and sexual misconduct against him were \"politically
\nmotivated.\" If convicted of the charges, Anwar faces up to 20
\nyears in prison.<\/p>\n
But Daly said on Sunday he had no preconceptions about the
\ncase and that he was a \"skeptic at heart\" and had not drawn any
\nconclusions.<\/p>\n
\"I will talk to as many people as possible,\" he added.
\nDaly said he would stay until the weekend, and two Amnesty
\nresearchers from London -- Tim Parritt and Bob Kellock -- would
\nattend the remainder of Anwar's trial.<\/p>\n
He added that he would also gather information about other
\nissues, such as freedom of expression in Malaysia, during his
\nstay here.<\/p>\n
Reports from Canberra said that Prime Minister John Howard was
\nexpected to meet privately with Mahathir at the APEC meeting this
\nmonth, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Sunday.<\/p>\n
United States President Bill Clinton will not pay Mahathir a
\ncustomary courtesy visit because of the arrest and trial of the
\nMalaysia's former deputy leader, according to administration
\nsources.<\/p>\n
But Downer said Australia's government did not want the
\ncontroversy to harm the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting
\nof 21 nations.<\/p>\n
Downer said Howard, along with many regional and other
\nleaders, had expressed concern about Anwar's treatment, and he
\nexpected the issue to come up during talks between Howard and
\nMahathir.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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